Actually, when it comes to summarizing this semester, I have no idea where to start. Then let me roughly discuss each of the following three sections.
- 1. MAYA
For Maya. Unfortunately, I don’t feel that I have made any significant progress. However, I still feel that I have benefited a lot in these brief three months.
Firstly, it is essential to learn how to use the Maya software. This is a fundamental but also very important step. Secondly, it is necessary to learn the movement rules and camera language in animation. Through continuous revisions of assignments and feedback from teachers and classmates, I gradually enhanced my understanding of the animation works and improved the visual differences.
I always have my own method for learning this basic course. I always prefer to complete the assignments relying on my imagination first, and then break this imagination through listening, watching, and others’ feedback. This approach helps me remember the relatively correct answers more easily. Reference is also important, but I am also very stubborn.
Therefore, I cannot say that my learning this term has been completely without results. I know that by changing the space and time between frames, the movements will look smoother. I also know that using slightly exaggerated movements can make the animation effects more interesting and vivid. I understand that the golden posture plays a very important role in animation production. I also like how the movie shots convey expressions and how they can capture the audience’s attention.
There are many examples. These examples were things I had never thought about carefully before, but they will all be applied in my future learning and works.
Of course, in the end, I still have to say that Maya has a lot of bugs. Is this really the crazy world of Maya?
- 2. ANIMATION
For animation. In fact, at the end of this term, I heard such a question: “Do you like animation?” To be honest, I don’t really like it that much, but I definitely don’t hate it either.
Such an answer sounds rather mediocre and it seems that I’m someone with no clear stance. However, my thoughts are quite simple. At first, I wanted to get involved in animation because I wanted to experience something new. As everyone knows, whether we like something or not, we can only determine that after actually trying it.
Therefore, as I walked along this path, I didn’t discover what was waiting for me at the end of this road, or whether there was something worthy enough for me to keep going. But now I can be certain that I haven’t disliked the scenery along this journey, so I’m still on the road.
Actually, I quite enjoyed the last class where we learned about film shots. It seemed to me that I could sense a little bit of the charm of film language within them. I can imagine that the language presented by animation in different shots always has a moment that can resonate with people.
Some examples:
- WALL-E
- Space Walk
- 360° rotation + dolly tracking, Robby uses a fire extinguisher as a jet to fly. The camera dances a waltz around him, making the audience’s heart rate accelerate with the romance – there’s not a single line of dialogue throughout the entire scene.
- Space Walk
- Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse
- Miles’ first “faith leap”: The camera pans down to the tall building first → Suddenly flips 180 degrees to the bottom of the building → Then rapidly drops for close-up shots. The perspective inversion is completed in one second, making the audience and him feel as if their hearts are beating out of sync, and they can’t help but think, “I’m really going to fall to my death.”
- Toy Story 3
- Andy looks down at the toys for the last time, using an overhead shot to portray the toys as “departing little people”. The next second, the camera cuts back to a level shot, and Andy has already become an adult. The dramatic change in perspective makes the audience grow up instantly, bidding farewell to their childhood.
These visual elements are all things that I find extremely impressive. They are able to capture my attention and are sufficient to make me gradually develop a fondness for and immerse myself in the animation. Perhaps, that’s enough.
- 3. FUTURE
I’m not sure if my current studies can determine my future choices. Animation is not an easy skill to learn and master. It might be a very lengthy process. I am very clear about this.
During these three months of study, I have also been constantly reflecting on what exactly I want to gain from animation. How to use this software? Become a landscape design expert? Become an animation master? No. Not even for now.
I still hope to watch more. Over the course of three months, I came across many outstanding colleagues around me. They were highly skilled and had profound insights into animation. All of these are very attractive. I enjoy the process of my current self-study of animation, and I also enjoy the process of sharing and communicating with my friends. This is much wiser than making a choice immediately. At least for me personally.
Perhaps one day in the future, the answer will be different. At least by then, I should have become proficient in using Maya.
TBC